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There are a lot of conditions that mimic the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Anything that causes widespread fatigue and pain falls into this category. And there are certainly a lot of these conditions. But the most common tend to be autoimmune conditions like lupus. But even lupus isn’t cut and dry. For example, maybe you’ve heard of a lupus anticoagulant.
A lupus anticoagulant is actually not the same thing as lupus. It’s a separate condition that leads to different symptoms. But obviously, that’s fairly confusing. After all, “lupus” is right there in the name. So what exactly is the difference between these conditions and how are they treated?
What Is Lupus?
Lupus is, on a basic level, an autoimmune condition. You see, in a healthy immune system, your white blood cells produce something called “antibodies.” These antibodies identify and destroy dangerous bacteria and viruses as they enter your body. This is a vital part of the way your body keeps you healthy in a world filled with the possibility of dangerous infections. But when you have an autoimmune condition like lupus, things go a little haywire.
Lupus causes your immune system to begin attacking your own cells instead, eventually destroying them. Lupus can manifest in a lot of different ways. The most obvious symptom is probably the distinctive “butterfly rash” across the face. This is caused by your antibodies attacking the skin cells on your face, causing them to overcompensate by producing more cells which lead to the scaly, red rash.
But lupus also attacks your internal organs as well. Over time, it can lead to inflammation of the kidneys, heart, and lungs. If left untreated, lupus can eventually damage these organs to the point that they no longer function.
What Is A Lupus Anticoagulant?
A lupus anticoagulant is in many ways confusingly named. You would assume based on the name that it is a symptom of lupus when, actually, it isn’t. In fact, while people with lupus are much more likely to get an anticoagulant, many people who don’t have lupus get them as well.
The reason these antibodies have the word “lupus” in their name is that they were first discovered in people who had lupus, not that they are really part of the condition.
Basically, a lupus anticoagulant is a type of antibody that binds to certain proteins in your blood. Over time, these proteins can thicken the concentration of blood cells in your circulatory system. This increases your risk of developing blood clots. And of course, blood clots carry their own risks like strokes or heart attacks.
How Are They Treated?
The treatment for lupus is fairly straightforward. Basically, the goal for treating lupus is to reduce inflammation of the internal organs which leads to damage.
Usually, this means treating the patient with immunosuppressant drugs. Immunosuppressants work by limiting the production of antibodies in your body. This reduces the activity of the immune system. Since lupus is caused by your immune system attacking your body, weakening it is often the best course for reducing the amount of damage it can do to your body.
In addition, doctors often prescribe NSAIDs, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, for people with lupus. This class of drugs includes basic, over-the-counter painkillers like aspirin and ibuprofen. And they work by preventing the release of an enzyme that contributes to inflammation. This makes them a good choice for fighting the inflammation of lupus and reducing the pain of the condition.
For an anticoagulant, the treatment is a bit more complicated. There is really no way to cure this condition. And no adjustments to your lifestyle like diet or exercise can lower your risk of a blood clot when you suffer from it. The best way that doctors have of managing it is to simply monitor your plasma. This can help them determine when your levels of antibodies are too high, increasing your risk of a clot. If the doctors find that they are, they will often prescribe, confusingly, an anticoagulant drug like heparin.
These types of drugs break apart blood clots as they form, which prevents them from getting lodged in your blood vessels. This is the real danger of a clot, as they can cut the flow of blood to an area of your body off, which leads to cell death. And if the flow of blood to the brain is cut off, it can even kill you.
So let us know, do you suffer from an anticoagulant? Do you have lupus? How do you treat it? Tell us in the comments.
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